The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Forty-Two
Overview
With days left before the wedding, preparations are nearly complete at Cousins. After Conrad is cut surfing, Belly cares for him, and their intimacy almost turns into a kiss, exposing unresolved feelings. Belly pulls back and clings to the hope that the others’ arrival—and Jeremiah’s presence—will restore boundaries.
Summary
As the wedding nears, Belly finalizes details at the Cousins house: food is ordered, lights are ready, and Conrad plans to play guitar when Belly walks with her father. Despite progress, Belly senses she has forgotten something, hinting at underlying unease.
Conrad returns from surfing injured, pale and bleeding from a fin cut. Belly takes charge, cleaning and bandaging the wound while Conrad, clearly shaken, follows her instructions. The caretaking brings them physically close; Conrad rests his head on Belly’s shoulder as she works.
Once the bleeding is controlled, they share a charged moment, their eyes locked, and a kiss feels imminent. Conrad breaks the moment by asking for help to stand and go nap. Belly, rattled, recognizes the impulse came from her, unlike a previous near-moment, and she steps away.
Conrad sleeps through dinner. Belly chooses not to wake him, heats a frozen pizza, and cleans the downstairs. She feels relieved that friends and family will arrive the next day, believing Jeremiah’s presence will reestablish normalcy, even as the unresolved tension with Conrad lingers.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Finalizes wedding details; nurses Conrad’s surfing injury; nearly kisses him, then pulls back and seeks safety in others’ impending arrival.
- Conrad FisherReturns from surfing with a leg cut; lets Belly treat him; shares a charged near-kiss before withdrawing to rest.